The 10 Easiest Updates for Honey Oak Bathrooms
Sometimes all an outdated bathroom needs is a few quick & easy updates to refresh it. If you have a honey oak bathroom, I’m sharing my top 10 easy design updates for just that scenario!
Simple doesn’t mean these aren’t powerful game-changers, though. Read on to see how these easy fixes can have big impact in your oak bathroom.
Here’s my list of the 10 EASIEST updates for a honey oak bathroom, no renovation required.
ps> Scroll to the end to see this full design plan complete with shoppable links!
Paint
I’m just going to keep banging this drum: there is no bigger impact when it comes to refreshing a space than a simple fresh coat of paint.
Of course, choosing the right color is important, too. With an oak bathroom, we are looking for:
something light enough to brighten up the room: a lighter paint is actually pretty important, especially in a bathroom without a window, for a few reasons - seeing what we are doing for medical or cosmetic tasks, being able to clean & sanitize well, and generally keeping a small room from feeling overwhelmingly small
enough pigment to not appear too stark
not so much pigment that the light reflects a color onto faces
something that works well with oak (not too orange is the main thing)
something that is ‘current’ and will offset the oak - right now, grays and near-whites are still trending
2. Faucet
Switching out the faucet is a great easy update. The faucet can be such a focal point in the room, especially if you choose something very styled (a unique metal or shape). This is a great distraction if the countertop and vanity itself are a bit outdated, it sort of elevates the entire area.
The faucet is also something that can be easily transferred to a new vanity if you do end up replacing the oak one in the future, so it’s a great investment to the room long-term.
If you have some basic tools and access to YouTube, this is absolutely a quick DIY project.
3. Hardware
You might be surprised the impact changing out the small items has in a small space. Style is often all in the details!
Look at the cabinet knobs & pulls and things like the toilet roll holder, wall hooks & the towel bar These are all quick switches.
In general, if you are changing the main metal in the room, choose one new metal color and bring it into the room in several places for a cohesive look.
ps> It’s okay to have two metals in the room: you will likely still have elements in your original metal in places like the door knob, floor vent, etc. and that’s just fine! Choose one new metal and layer it into the room with the old.
4. Shower curtain
This is a big one, both literally and figuratively! Choosing an interesting shower curtain can be a bold move and give so much character to your room. It’s also a great distraction from any outdated elements in the room and a perfect way to hide an older tub or tile.
Big, colorful patterns or images not your thing? Look for an interesting texture in a solid color that adds something to the room - an accent color or a neutral can both work.
5. Big bath mat
Chances are, if you have an oak bathroom of a certain vintage, then the flooring is from the same era, as well. My best trick here is to get a BIG bath mat in an interesting color or big pattern. Hide & distract!
Important things to look for:
machine washable
absorbent
non-slip (or place a non-slip pad below)
6. Wall art
Create a focal point and set the vibe of the space almost instantly with some impactful wall art. Choose a large piece. Go with something bold & interesting. This is so much more powerful than a collection of mild or small pieces. Again, distract & direct attention away from the oak. Make the room all about something else.
In my experience, art posters are the best way to get something BIG, interesting and inexpensive. (See my art links below for my favorite place to shop for posters.) As a bonus, they are easy to change out seasonally or whenever the mood strikes you. The frame is the bigger expense, so once you have that, swapping out the poster is totally manageable.
7. Light fixture
A new light above the mirror can change so much about a bathroom. Look for something interesting and that suits the style of decor you’re using in the room. Ideally, 3 or more light bulbs help brighten up the room (any less and you risk having a dark room).
I admit that this one is bordering on the edge of DIY, but I have done this myself (solo and when I likely had no business doing so) many times, so I feel comfortable suggesting you at least look into it. Normally it’s just a matter of using the existing wiring to swap out the light (of course make sure you turn off the power to the room at the panel, first!) Or, you know, hire an electrician if you’re the patient & sensible type - I am not.
8. New towels
I can’t overlook this one even though it’s so simple. New towels in a coordinating set seem like such an easy add-on that they couldn’t possibly make a difference, but they do!
Look for a set in a nice color or texture that adds a little something to the room. You can hang the hand towel on the bar, layered on top of a folded bath towel. Roll the washcloths on a shelf or in a basket. Create some spa-like luxury with them. The repetition of the same towel throughout the room will bring the space together.
9. Bold walls
If you love bold and interesting, a wallpaper in a oversized pattern can bring so much life to an outdated oak bathroom. I wouldn’t do all the walls, just one focal area or wall.
Don’t overlook removable vinyl wallpapers, either. They have come a LONG way and are much more manageable to install than traditional wallpaper.
10. Big greens
Adding a plant that, at first, feels like it might be just a bit too big for the room is a great way to add some luxury and upscale vibes to your bathroom. Go big here: the large scale is what makes the plant feel so prominent in the room and helps to distract from any outdated features of the room.
Here’s my favorite ways to add greens:
floor plant in an oversized basket by the tub
big plant on a small table beside the tub (look to upside-down baskets as plant stands)
Vase with small opening & a few large branches or eucalyptus stems on the vanity
wall hanging with medium-sized hanging plant - above the toilet works well or on the wall opposite the mirror for double-greens in the reflection
Looking for a complete design plan to easily update an oak bathroom? Here you go!
1. LIGHT || 2.ABSTRACT ART || 3.SINK || 4.FAUCET || 5.PLANT || 6.TRIM PAINT || 7.WALL PAINT || 8.BASKET || 9.PHOTO ART || 10.MAT || 11.VASES || 12.SHOWER CURTAIN || 13.FLOORING || 14.BIRD ART || 15.GOLD ART || 16.FLORAL ART || 17.EUCALYPTUS || 18.TOWELS || 19.BASKET || 20.AMBER BOTTLES || 21.HANDLES
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